The Invisible Efforts That Keep Businesses Running

The Invisible Efforts That Keep Businesses Running

It often starts small

A quick errand. A prescription pickup. A doctor’s appointment scheduled. Until one day, you realize you’ve stepped into a role you never expected: caregiver.

These past few months, as my family navigates the realities of in-home hospice care, I’ve been reflecting on the invisible work of caregiving—and how much it mirrors the unseen efforts that keep businesses running.

Caregiving teaches us about adaptability, resilience, and empathy—qualities every leader needs. It reminds us that the most critical work often happens quietly, without recognition. In our organizations, just like in families, those unseen contributions matter.

 Here’s what strikes me:

• More than 53 million Americans are caregivers, often balancing full-time jobs, raising children or running businesses
• Caregiving is rarely acknowledged in the workplace, yet it profoundly impacts employees’ time, energy, and emotional well-being.

As we mark National Family Caregivers Month and head into Thanksgiving, let’s commit to noticing and appreciating the invisible work—at home and at work. A simple “What you’re doing matters” can change everything.

To all the caregivers out there: You inspire us. You remind us that compassion isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes, it’s found in the hidden moments of care, patience, and devotion.

 How can we, as leaders, make invisible work visible?

• Recognize it.
• Support it.
• Build cultures where empathy isn’t optional—it’s essential.

The most impactful work often happens behind the scenes—whether it’s the quiet resilience of a caregiver or the strategic decisions that shape a company’s future. Site selection and incentive negotiation are no different. They require adaptability, foresight, and a steady hand to turn uncertainty into opportunity.

Your next location decision isn’t just about a map—it’s about maximizing value, reducing risk, and securing every advantage for your stakeholders. Incentives can transform your bottom line, but only if you know how to capture them.

Here’s the question to consider:

In a landscape where unseen factors—labor shifts, permitting delays, evolving incentive programs—can redefine success overnight, how confident are you that your next move will deliver the financial results your organization expects?

If you’re ready to make invisible advantages visible and turn complexity into clarity, let’s start the conversation today.